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 Matthew Hosler Presents Berkshire’s Five-Year Forecast

in First BOE Meeting as Treasurer

Berkshire Board of Education – Regular Meeting, August 10, 2026

Meeting Details:   The meeting was held in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon-Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 4402. A video of the meeting is posted here. View the agenda online and any attached documents here by selecting the meeting tab and then the meeting date.  The notation of minutes refers to the time posted on the video for the discussion of the item listed.

 

Board Members Attendance: John Manfredi, President, and members Dan Berman, Brandon Townsend and Bryan Wadsworth. Vice President Linda Stone was absent.

 

Staff Attendance: Superintendent John Stoddard and Treasurer Matthew Hosler. Observer Note: This was Mr. Hosler’s first meeting as Treasurer. He has taken over for former Treasurer Beth McCaffrey, who retired.

 

Opening of Regular Meeting - The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Mr. Manfredi, who led the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll was called.

 

Approval of Agenda – approved unanimously without discussion.

 

Approval of Minutes – Minutes for the Regular Meeting July 13, 2026 were unanimously approved without discussion. Minutes are available through Board Docs here by clicking on the Meetings tab. The minutes are available in the detailed Agenda for the meeting following the meeting in question.  

 

2:35 Min. Staff Presentation – Technology Intern Presentation

Mr. Al Vontorcik, Facilities and Technology Director, spoke about their summer technology intern program and the two students who participated in it. The first student attends Auburn Career Center where he does cybersecurity work as part of his schooling, and the second student is interested in “Makerspace stuff.” He said, thanks to a grant from the Schlink Foundation, the school was able to replace all the computers in their computer lab. The interns assisted with removing the old computers and connecting and loading the new laptops. The students then spoke briefly about their summer work experiences. 

Dr. Stoddard commended the students and noted that these internships were paid through the state reimbursing the school. He pointed out that the program provides the opportunity to get an industry-recognized credential in technology which offers an alternative pathway to graduation and “looks really good” on a resume.  

7:31 Min. Public Participation – No comments.

7:50 Min. Treasurer’s Report

Financial Statements

The treasurer submitted a statement to the Board and the Superintendent showing the revenues and

receipts from whatever sources derived, the various Appropriations made by the Board, the

expenditures and disbursements, the purposes, and the balances remaining in each fund. The financial

statements for the period ending July 2026 were submitted subject to audit and include Financial

Summary, Appropriations and Revenue Summary, Check Register Recap, and Bank Reconciliation per

ORC 3313.29. Observer Note: See Financial Statement details in the meeting agenda available online.

Donations – The Board unanimously approved the following donations:

 

Mr. Manfredi thanked the donors for continuously supporting the district. 

Financial Amendments – The Board unanimously approved without discussion the following financial amendments:

 

Cash Transfers:

 

Then & Now Invoices:

 

Certifications/Appropriation Changes:

 

Ohio School Council Cooperative Bus/Van Purchase – The Board unanimously approved a motion to authorize the Ohio Schools Council to advertise and receive bids on behalf of Berkshire Board of Education as per the specifications submitted for the cooperative purchase of one (1) 72 passenger conventional school bus chassis body along with one (1) passenger van.

 

In response to Mr. Manfredi’s question about the van’s size, Dr. Stoddard said it would be a standard, 9-passenger vehicle, noting that they may not have funding for it, but if they do, will move forward with the bid process.

 

Five-Year Fiscal Forecast – The Board unanimously approved without discussion the Five-Year Forecast. 

Mr. Hosler gave a presentation with slides on the district’s five-year fiscal forecast, noting that House Bill 96, the state budget bill, changed the state’s forecast schedule. The current forecast is due by the end of August, with the next update due by the end of February 2027. Presentation highlights include but are not limited to:

Purpose of the forecast

• Engages the Board of Education and community in long-range financial planning. 

• Helps determine the district’s ability to sign the 412 Certificate, a required revenue statement that proves a school district has enough money to pay for specific spending commitments.

• Allows the Ohio Department of Education and Auditor of State to identify districts with potential financial difficulties.

• The forecast is a snapshot based on current information and used to estimate the district’s future financial health and represents only the district’s general fund. Forecasts can change because of inflation, state funding, tax collections, and changes in the state budget.

Legislative Impacts on School Budgets

• Four main bills passed last year affecting school funding, primarily related to property taxes: HB 129, HB 309, HB 335 and HB 186. Observer Note: See LWV Geauga Observer Report for the November 10, 2025 Berkshire BOE Meeting for more information here.

• HB 186 established inflationary cap credits for school districts.

Impact of House Bill 186

• HB 186 established inflationary cap credits on school property tax revenue, limiting increases following property reappraisals.

• Because Berkshire experienced a reappraisal in 2023–24, the law includes retroactive property-tax reductions (“clawbacks”).

• The forecast estimates HB 186 will reduce Berkshire’s revenue by approximately $1.2 million in FY27 and potentially $3.8 million through FY31. 

• Because of the bill’s delayed implementation, Berkshire will experience a 1.5-times collection rate this year as the state catches up with the scheduled reductions.

• The state has not yet fully verified the reimbursement calculation, so the district used a conservative estimate.

• The forecast notes that the reduction in local property tax revenue does not result in an increase in the state funding formula, creating what he describes as a “double loss” for districts.

Projected financial condition

• The forecast shows Berkshire’s cash balance declining substantially after FY27–28 and becoming negative around FY29.

• Local revenue accounts for approximately 66% of Berkshire’s FY27 funding, making changes to property tax collections particularly significant.

• State funding is projected to remain relatively flat and does not make up for the anticipated loss of local revenue.

• The treasurer noted that the state share of school funding has declined from approximately 45% in FY1999 to a projected 32% in FY27, increasing the reliance on local taxpayers.

Expenditures

• The largest portion of Berkshire’s general fund expenditures is salaries, wages and benefits, which is typical of Ohio school districts.

• Other significant expenses include transportation, custodial services and other contracted services.

• These costs are expected to continue increasing because of inflation and other rising expenses.

Tax levy proposal

• In response to the projected financial problems, Berkshire has placed a 0.5% earned-income tax on the ballot for November 3.

• The treasurer said the proposal is intended to address the growing gap between state and local funding and the disproportionate burden placed on local taxpayers.

Summary

The forecast indicates that HB 186’s property tax changes, combined with Berkshire’s heavy reliance on local revenue and relatively flat state funding, are expected to push the district into a negative cash position around FY29. The proposed 0.5% earned-income tax is one measure the district is pursuing to address that projected shortfall.

25:50 Min. Superintendent’s Report

Personnel - The Board unanimously approved all the personnel actions for Certified and Classified staff as listed on the meeting agenda. Observer Note: A complete list of Personnel actions is available in the meeting agenda online.  

 

Volunteers – The Board unanimously approved without discussion the volunteers listed below.

 

 

Payment per student in lieu of Transportation – The Board unanimously approved payment per student in lieu of transportation for the 2026-2027 school year for 15 students per ORC 3327.02. Total transportation costs are $12,416.63. Mr. Manfredi commented, “My, how the list has grown.” Dr. Stoddard explained that the school is required to try to get charter, parochial and community school students in the district on a bus route. If this is deemed impractical, the school must pay the parents to transport their child to school. Observer Note: See details on this item in the meeting agenda available online.

 

Handbook – The Board unanimously approved without discussion the 2026-27 Early Childhood Center Parent Handbook.

 

Contracts – The Board unanimously approved without discussion contracts for:

• Extended School Year Camp Contract - Chardon Local School District (1 student)

• Auditor of State Legal Government Services (LGS) Conversion FY26  

Dr. Stoddard explained that this contract is for required software for the State Auditor to compile Berkshire’s annual financial statements for fiscal year ended June 30, 2026, in order to prepare an accountant’s report.

Observer Note: See Contracts details in the meeting agenda available online.

Old Business – No Old Business.

29:26 Min. New Business – No New Business. 

 

Next Regular Meeting Dates – September 14, 2026, and October 12, 2026, at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium of the Berkshire Local Schools complex, 14155 Claridon-Troy Rd, Burton, Ohio 44021.

 

Min. Executive Session – No Executive Session. 

 

30:17 Min. Meeting Adjourned

Observer: Rooney Moy

Editor: Sarah McGlone

Reviewer: Carol Benton

Date Submitted: August 16, 2026

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